The Staple Singers

In 1980, the legendary Staple Singers were engaged in a tour of Africa sponsored by the U.S. government.  The set opened with Charlie Smalls' rousing "Ease on Down the Road" from his Broadway musical The Wiz (which, as of this writing, is once again packing houses on Broadway) and continued with a clutch of Staples favorites including "Let's Do it Again," "Respect Yourself," and "Touch a Hand, Make a Friend."  The group also brought their singular style to such varied standards as "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," "Come Go with Me," and "A House Is Not a Home."  Mavis Staples previously covered the latter Burt Bacharach/Hal David classic on her 1969 Stax/Volt solo debut.  Now, a document of the Staples' African tour returns to CD and digital formats as Africa 80, restored and remastered by Michael Graves and featuring new liner notes by Tim Dillinger-Curenton.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.